CD Review: Michael Kieran Harvey’s Greta

Greta

Composed and performed by Michael Kieran Harvey

Michael Kieran Harvey is one of Australia’s cultural icons – a warrior for causes both artistic and for those that will ensure our planet heals after centuries of environmental abuse. At the forefront of performers of his generation he has collaborated with some of our leading composers such as Larry Sitsky and Andrian Pertout. And in the great tradition of music from times past he is also a composer of merit. He writes virtuosic music that he then despatches with aplomb.

Greta is an album in 2 parts and it seems to suggest both time past and time more recent. It is named after Greta Thunberg the young Swedish environmental activist who has garnered much praise from people of her age and many who are one or more generations older for her determination to take on established powerful voices.

The work appears in two versions so we hear 31 minutes performed on a concert grand piano and then again on various electric keyboards. The sound of these instruments takes us back to the 1960’s and 1970’s when Terry Riley and great keyboardists associated with Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul and Chick Corea performed music that informed and influenced a whole generation of musicians and listeners.

Much of this music from Harvey is highly energetic and sometimes borders on being manic but maybe considering the topic of climate change and its massive problems it is most appropriate. The movements misterioso (tracks 2 and 7) and retorico (tracks 3 and 8) highlight Harvey’s approach to the contrast of colours that he provides.

I listened to the CD straight through then each version of the same music – Track 1 and 6 and so on. This is music that references music from different times and places and also demands attention. In many ways it is like an extended improvisation. Different listeners might prefer one over the other whilst I simply enjoyed the variety that the diverse instruments offered.

Alan Holley

Buy the CD here on MOVE